Apple iWatch

Everything We Know About The iWatch So Far

If you've just crawled out from under a rock, we'll find it in our hearts to forgive you for not knowing a lick about wearable technology. Okay, so you've heard of Google Glass, but we're talking about gear that doesn't make you look like an operator from Time-Life Books in the year 2050.

From fitness monitors to posture sensors and smart watches, the tide of socially acceptable wearable tech is growing, seemingly by the month. One of the most anticipated smart watches, if not the most, is the much-speculated-upon Apple iWatch — the supposed "next big thing" from the Cupertino innovation juggernaut, who ironically hasn't churned out a new, original product since way back in the Pleistocene era known as 2010. Timing, as you know in the tech world, is nearly everything, and it would behoove Apple to do something quickly, since there are more than a handful of smart watches out on the market already. It was supposed to have emerged sometime back in 2013, but that came and went. Could 2014 be the year?

Though we know that the iWatch, or whatever it's eventually named, is likely to show up on the market before the end of the year, we have just about zero indication as to what it will look like. Suffice it to say that design is Apple's strongest suit, next to its ability to create an impressive level of device utility as exemplified in the ubiquitous iPhone. From various news sources, here is what we do know so far about the iWatch — though as always, this information is subject to change as the weeks pass and more information comes over the channels.

It looks like Apple will adorn its iWatch with one of a few glass options. The first, which was rumored some time ago, is a scratch-resistant, high-quality sapphire glass face, great news for watch lovers everywhere (or at least those who will dare to wear the iWatch). The second is Corning's Willow Glass, which is a super-futuristic flexible glass that can be molded in a curved shape, something that would lend itself nicely to a smart watch. The third option would be a flexible OLED plastic "glass" from LG. If the iWatch gets another rumored feature, a slap band-style strap, it makes sense to go with one of the last two options. Plus, it will knock the iWatch into the stratosphere of cool with that level of glass tech.

Also, Apple gets the personalization game, so it's likely that the iWatch will show up in various versions. Similar to rumors of differing iPhone 6 sizes, the iWatch will supposedly be offered in two different sizes, 1.3 and 1.5 inches. It's also possible that the iWatch will have an even greater array of personalization options, such as swappable bands and faces. It's all part of the game in making mass high-tech more individualistic. That, and it appeals to analog watch lovers, who just might be brought to the dark side with new ways to get addicted.